The United States believes Russia's invasion of Ukraine is aimed at "decapitating" the Ukrainian government and establishing its own governance.
A senior U.S. defense official said this on Thursday, Reuters reported.
The official said that's why one of the three main areas of the Russian offensive is aimed at Kiev.
"Our assessment is that they have every intention of actually decapitating the government and establishing their own method of governance, which would explain these early moves," the official said on condition of anonymity.
U.S. President Joe Biden will reportedly make a statement Thursday announcing new sanctions against the Russian state.
Biden will also announce that the U.S. will provide Ukraine with additional weapons for self-defense.
